(indieWIRE/04.11.01) — Not known for shying away from controversy, LionsGate Films has stepped in to save Miramax once again and release a new filmthat some consider controversial. The distribution of Tim Blake Nelson‘s“O,” a modern teenage adaptation of Shakespeare‘s “Othello,” had reportedly been put on hold in light of recent violence on high school campuses inthe United States.

Miramax’ Dimension Films division set previous release dates for the movie,which was completed nearly two years ago, but ultimately pulled the filmfrom its slate and remained quiet about its plans. Last fall, aspoliticians debated the impact of movie marketing and violence, Dimensionchief Bob Weinstein told the New York Observer, in a prepared statement, that the movie “deals with sensitive issues that are important to our country,”adding that the studio postponed last Fall’s release of the film “due to thesensitive events occuring at that time.”

Despite press communication yesterday branding the film as “controversial,”Lion Gate Co-President Tom Ortenberg disputed such characterizations.“I don’t think it’s a contoversial film, it is modern day popentertainment,” Ortenberg told indieWIRE late yesterday. “Any perceivedcontroversy will end up being much ado about nothing.”

Lions Gate will release the movie in August on 1,500 screens according toOrtenberg. Yet less than two weeks ago, according to an Exhibitor Relationsschedule, “O” was set to be released on April 27th by Miramax. Last Friday,the film was moved to the “undated 2001” column. A Variety article last monthspeculated that the film would likely miss its April date due to the recenthigh school shootings in California.

“It was very much a standard acqusition for us,” Ortenberg added, “The filmbecame available for acquisition, we took a look at it, we loved it and webought it.”

As for the reasons behind the Miramax’ decision to drop the movie, thestudio was quiet yesterday. Dimension’s Sr. VP of PR Elizabeth Clark madethe joint announcement with Lions Gate’s Tom Ortenberg yesterday (Tuesday)but Clark would not comment on the news beyond a prepared statement containedin a press release sent to indieWIRE by Lions Gate’s media reps.

“‘O’ is a compelling, artistically crafted film and we feel the film willfare best in Lions Gate’s hands where it will not be drawn into controversyand debate due to its distributor,” Clark said in the statement yesterday.

“O,” which stars Julia Stiles (“Hamlet“), Mekhi Phifer (“Shaft“), Martin Sheen (“The West Wing“), and Josh Hartnett (“The Faculty“), is described in an announcement as “a tale of seduction, jealousy, betrayal and the dangerous price of pride, all of which unfolds on the eve of the statebasketball championship.” Tim Blake Nelson recently starred in the CoenBrother‘s “O Brother, Where Art Thou” and has directed “Eye of God” and “The Grey Zone.”

Last fall, for the New York Observer article, the Miramax position wasdifferent. “The company has released difficult films before,” Clark told theObserver, “We’re not going to shy away from it.” Continuing inthe Observer she added, “This is going to be a tricky one because it isbased in high school, but if any company can do it, it’s Miramax becauseit’s the forte of the company.”

Lions Gate recently acquired “The Golden Bowl,” a Merchant Ivory film that was to have been released by Miramax later this month. As indieWIRE reported inSeptember, the film was nabbed by Lions Gate after the filmmakers refused tomake Miramax-suggested cuts to movie. Back in 1999, Lions Gate stepped in torelease “Dogma,” after the controversial Kevin Smith film was dropped byMiramax. [Eugene Hernandez]

>> Icebox is Back; Reincarnated Site Signs Pact with Mondo Media

(indieWIRE/04.11.01) — The co-founders of Icebox, along with of two of thecompany’s former executives, announced yesterday that they are resurrectingthe venture that added its name to the list of dot-com closures earlier thisyear.

The new Icebox incarnation will continue in the former life’s footsteps byproducing content controlled by writers and distributing products in thecompany’s library like “Mr. Wong” and “Starship Regulars.” “Zombie College” and “Poker Night” are also included in a one-year deal that Icebox hassigned with Mondo Media. This Icebox will leave launching and maintainingweb sites to somebody else. They also plan to contract out the physicalproduction according to Tal Vigderson, Managing Director of the newIceboxand the former Icebox head of business and creative affairs.

“Without the infrastructure of a web site, we will function with anextremely low overhead which will enable us to survive in adeveloping market,” Vigderson told indieWIRE yesterday.

Icebox was purchased for at least $500,000 by co-founders JohnCollier, former co-executive producer of “King of the Hill,”Howard Gordon, former executive producer of “The X-Files,” and RobLaZebnik, former co-executive producer of “The Simpsons,” Scott Rupp, former Icebox head of business development, Vigderson and an unnamedcorporate investor.

“When the company shut down there were a number of creditors. So theywere trying to sell off the assets but we got together to buy theshows instead,” Vigderson told indieWIRE. The new owners feel securethat they have enough of a bankroll to keep the company chuggingalong through the end of the year.

European and South American broadcast distributors have expressedinterest in licensing and development deals for new shows comingout of Icebox as well the established library. New creations willhave to start with a buyer.

“We don’t have the operating capital to spec shows,” Vigdersoncommented. Icebox is planning a future that will revolve aroundproduct tie-in’s that are woven into the plot so that technologieslike TiVo cannot screen them out — a show like “Friends” would beset in a Starbucks rather than a fictional Central Perk. “It’sthe ultimate product placement,” Vigderson explained.[Maud Kersnowski]

>> Chicago Underground Select Latest Projects for Film Fund

(indieWIRE/04.11.01) — Six projects have been selected by the 3rd annualChicago Underground Film Fund to receive money towards the completion oftheir work. Consistent with the ideals of the organizers, The ChicagoUnderground Film Festival, the projects were selected from over 200submissions that go beyond the traditional ‘boundaries’ of independentcinema. Established in 1998, the fund supports new and established artists— each filmmaker will receive between $500 and $2000 for work that isconsistent with the programming goals of the Festival.

The winners include James Fotopolous‘ “Consumed I-5,” described by theFestival as “a quintet of experimental films exploring themes of sex,nature, shifting appearances [as well as] shadow and color.” Also selectedwere Deco Dawson‘s “Defile In Veil: The Futility of Purity,” an experimental short shot in the style of early 1900s cinema and Jeff Krulik‘s “Hitler’s Hat,” a true story about a Jewish-American G.I. who found Adolf Hitler’s tophat and destroyed it. Jon Ausbrooks won funding for his look at avant-gardefilmmaker Kenneth Anger entitled, “Inside the Eye of Anger,” as well as Jon Moritsugu for his anti-digital tech film, “Scumrock.” Finally, HelenStickler was selected for her documentary, “Stoked: The Rise and Fall ofGator” which follows the rise and fall of professional skateboarder, MarkAnthony “Gator” Rogowski.

“It’s been great to see The Chicago Underground Film Festival’s commitmentto not only up and coming and current underground filmmakers, but also tothose pioneers who first opened up the territory for the artists who havetaken up the challenge to follow,” commented recipient Jon Ausbrooks in aprepared statement. The Chicago Underground Film Festival will take placeAugust 16th through the 22nd in the Windy City. [Brian Brooks]